Mandatory Drinking in Korean Companies

By Lee Ji-young

I read some shocking statistics in a recent Korea Times article. It said 72 percent of Korean men drink alcohol on a daily basis.

Considering the fact that alcohol is unhealthy and highly addictive, these statistics should be a wake-up call to all those who are not aware of health and mental risks associated with drinking.

Public awareness about the dangers of smoking has risen dramatically and a lot of people have quit smoking or are trying to cut down. However, I don't see many Koreans trying to cut back on their drinking.

Alcohol can be just as dangerous as cigarettes. It leads to car accidents, affects your judgment and is the number one cause of liver disease.

It is a well-known fact that men who are drunk tend to be aggressive and do things they normally wouldn't do. Alcohol is a drug. What Koreans need to realize is how alcohol can impair their ability to think and act. In fact a lot of crime and violence happens when people are drunk.

Studies show that alcohol can be even more dangerous than marijuana, due to the fact that drinking makes people aggressive and violent. Koreans feel very strongly about drugs, but do not feel the same way about alcohol.

One day, I witnessed a confrontation between two drivers, which was scary. One of them was totally drunk and was swearing at the other driver. The drunk driver was a young guy who illegally parked on the side of the road. When the other driver asked him to move his car, the drunk driver would not listen and was acting like a five-year-old boy.

He lost his temper and was about to get into a fistfight. This incident made me realize how alcohol can change people's behavior and perception.

There was even an incident where a famous sports announcer lost his job because of his drinking. He was on the air under the influence of alcohol and didn't know what he was doing.

His speech was slurred and viewers complained about it. He got replaced the next day. It is a real-life example that shows how drinking can affect your work performance.

A lot of Korean men would say that drinking relieves their stress and it is a great for male bonding. But would you be willing to binge drink at the expense of your career?

Drunk driving is another big issue. Korea is among many countries afflicted with this fatal condition. In 2006, 16,005 people were killed in the U.S in alcohol related motor vehicle accidents.

However, the big problem in Korea is that drinking is almost mandatory in many companies, and it can even affect getting a job and promotion. One of the common job interview questions is ``How much do you drink?"

The managers say that drinking is a good factor that determines whether a person is a team player and able to work well with their co-workers and supervisors. People in other countries will find this theory absolutely ridiculous.

The fact of the matter is, alcohol is a main factor that can mess up your work performance and mental ability. It does more harm than good.

Drinking and working do not mix, and low productivity has a lot to do with drinking on weeknights. I have heard so many stories of people who were late for work or couldn't even go to work after too much drinking.

What I don't understand is the drinking culture where Koreans pressure other people to drink, thinking that it brings people closer together.

Is it really hard to have a good conversation without drinking? In a logical sense, the opposite is true, given the fact that drinking makes people say and do things stupid. If you have to rely on drinking to have a good time, it becomes a problem.

It is not much different from people with any form of substance abuse.

Drinking should always be done in moderation with strict limits.

Excessive drinking should never be encouraged. If somebody drinks too much alcohol, you should step in and help him or her to sober up. Intervention is needed before they jeopardize their health, career and even public safety.

Companies should stop asking people about their drinking habits and stop forcing their employees to drink. This is absolutely necessary for the benefit of the companies. Otherwise, all employees, productivity and work performance will suffer.

Koreans should change their attitude about drinking and how it can affect their lives. They need to be aware of the consequences of excessive drinking. The dangers and health risks of alcohol should never be underestimated.

The writer is an English instructor in Seoul. She can be reached at stkate27@gmail.com.